nomination predicament....help!

[militaryfamily]

Son will receive appointment to USNA and WP. The congressman's office called to see if he can make a decision as to which one he wants to go to so they can give the other nomination to another individual if the other person meets all the requirements; any advice on this? Once son gives up the nomination I was told by the congressman's office he cannot then change his mind and decide to accept the appt to the academy where he gave up to nomination.

I understand he will need to pick one.....of course....but is this wise to do at this point, any advice, experience, ramifications,.......input please! thanks.

 

[Christcorp]

Personally; in my opinion; your son should have had an idea of what branch of service he had a preference to and wanted to serve in, prior to applying. IOW: His first choice was "A", but if he didn't get that, then "B", "C", "D", would be ok. If you're saying that your son truly doesn't know which branch of military service he wants to serve in, then what will change in the next 2 months?

Now; if he really wanted say Air Force, but didn't get a nomination and/or appointment there, but got one for navy and army, and now is trying to decide the better of his "Non-First" choices, then that is understandable. But there is no reason that he shouldn't be able to decide now which one he wants to accept. I can't imagine any scenario that would arise where he would want to change his mind.

Don't get me wrong. I see every day, individuals who apply to all 5 military academies and they have absolutely no concept of what they're getting into. They have no idea which one they want. Most of them are applying simply for the "Free" education. They don't truly realize that the academy is only 4 years. They have a minimum of 5 years of actual service in that particular branch of the military. I'm not saying I don't have any sympathy for these individuals; just that they should take their actual military commitment a little more seriously. The military isn't in the "Education" business. They're in the war/defense business. They provide the education as a means of preparing the individuals for the job/mission that will be asked of them. Most people who truly want to become commissioned officers and serve in the military, pretty much know which branch of service they prefer. And thus, which academy they prefer. If your son truly doesn't know which branch of the military he wants to serve in, then I suggest he search his soul and make a decision. Especially if he's going to accept one of the appointments.

But again, there is no possible scenario that could make an individual lose their appointment, that wouldn't make them lose ALL appointments. In other words, the other thing that could possibly affect him after choosing one over the other, is that he might change his mind. Well; teens tend to change their minds weekly; if not daily. I say he needs to make a decision. Even if the congressman hadn't asked; he really needs to make a decision and be ready to live by that decision. This isn't: "Hmmm, should I go to Georgia Tech or Auburn"? This is a much more important decision. It's the next 9 years of his life. "Minimum". He needs to decide which branch of the military he wants that to be; then accept the appropriate appointment. If that's what he really wants. best of luck. mike....

P.S. You said son will receive an "APPOINTMENT" to Navy and Army. Are you 100% correct? OR, did you mean that he will receive NOMINATIONS to Navy and Army? And thus; the congressman is trying to only nominate him to one branch and not both??? A nomination is no guarantee of an appointment. How do you know that he WILL receive an appointment. If you meant nomination and not appointment, then I would try and hold onto BOTH nominations. If you know for a fact that he has 2 appointment OFFERS, then see my main reply. mike...

 

[Pima]

I agree with CC, there is a difference between nom and apptmt. The Congressman does not choose the appointee unless they are doing principal, the SA's appt. And it would be strange to get 2 principals from one MOC.

 

[mumsyto3]

As CC and PIMA pointed out, you first need to clarify nomination vs appointment.

I can tell you that last year, when DS first applied, he knew he wanted to go to a Service Academy. He had a long list of reasons why (not one of which was the "free education"). However, at the time that he applied he didn't know which branch he was more interested in. He therefore ended up applying to USNA, USAFA and USMA. Fortunately, early on, he received LoA's to all three of them. However, when it came down to the time for his MOC nominations he was required to rank which Academy was his first choice, knowing that they were only going to give him a nomination to one. In addition, we come from one of those very competitive states and were told that the MOCs would be coordinating and would not duplicate nominations. So DS had to make a decision very early on which one to chose. He had been to USMA SLS, USNA CVW and made a visit to USAFA. After talking to cadets/mids and friends/neighbors who are active duty and retired, after researching the different branches and their missions, and after a lot of soul searching he made his decision on how to rank the SA's on his MOC applications. Once he made his decision he did not look back. He is very happy with the decision he made!

Best of luck to your son!

 

[militaryfamily]

Appreciate replies; Son has primary nom to one academy and secondary nom to two others. Congressman has said he "is" getting appointment from one of the secondaries. He of course ranked his preferences, has always been torn between the two but as you know, they must pick a preference. They are young, can change their mind this early in the game especially when the two are neck in neck and offer the same career choice; there are several factors to consider. I am just torn because I don't know that he should be put in a position to make a hasty decision so early on, the appointments haven't even arrived yet. I just don't want him rushed and looking back. First and foremost, I think he should receive the appointments before just giving up a nomination to someone else. I think I am just processing the sudden request and inquiry and we need to give thought to much but am kind of just seeking info and advice, or previous experience or hindsight......from all of you, like do's or don'ts because of........ Thanks again and welcome all replies.

 

[Pima]

I think you mean principal, not primary.

I just don't want him rushed and looking back. First and foremost, I think he should receive the appointments before just giving up a nomination to someone else

He has had close to 9 months if not more (if he went SLS) to weigh the options, to me that is a lot of time.

From what I understand he will def. have 2 apptmts, thus he knows he has them, no need for the BFE, unless you do not trust their word. Honestly, if it was my child I would have him contact the SA to verify that he has both apptmts before making the decision.

Honestly, he will always have the what ifs, but he has to call the ball. If after 9 months of waiting and he has yet to lean one way or another, than he needs to ask why he has yet to make up his mind.

You should use this weekend and talk it out. Tell him that on Monday you need to contact the SAs to verify the Cong. apptmt and if that info is correct, you need to make an answer at that time. I am sure he has played the game of what if I get this SA or that SA or no SA, but ROTC. If he has than the answers have already been discussed and the decision was made prior to the call. If he hasn't why hasn't he?

Is the apprehension due to career paths aka fields.... SEAL/Ranger, Helos, etc? If so, there is no guarantee from either SA he attends that he will get it, so he needs to look at the service itself. Remember he will attend an SA for 4 yrs, but owe 5...in other words he will owe more time to the service AD than he will spend hitting the books.

Your moniker is militaryfamily, so I assume you have lived the military life. Anyone who has, knows that the military doesn't always give you months to pick and choose assignments. They can come down in the flash of an eye. Bullet once was offered a position on Thursday night that included moving after being on station for 7 months, he was given until Friday 4 pm to decide.
Just like assignment night, they don't give you months to choose, it goes by OML for the Army and you pick and choose there and then. Yes, you have a clue of what is coming down for months, just like where you are now, but when the moment arrives you can't sit on it for weeks to mull it over.

Also, part of the military is that it is a family, it is not just you, but everyone else. Imagine right now, there is a lurker or a poster from your district that is waiting to hear, and what they read is after 9 months he still can't make a decision. Meanwhile, for the past 10 all they wanted was to be in one particular SA and has to wait even longer to see if he takes it or not.

You are fortunate, and congrats all around, but this is an emotional rollercoaster for many. Most want to get off by now and move on with their lives.

Good luck, G Bless, and thank him and your family for serving.

OBTW, I have no bone in this fight, our kid is not on the rollercoaster ride. We have been there, done that and got the t-shirt yrs ago

 

[militaryfamily]

Thanks Pima. Yes it is the principal but the letter is worded primary. I really appreciate your time and interest in replying.

 

[lovethenavy]

Thanks Pima. Yes it is the principal but the letter is worded primary. I really appreciate your time and interest in replying.

Has your candidate visited the SA that he is nomintated for? I think that there is a kind of "fit" that many candiates find when researching, visiting, and talking to others who have been or are currently in a SA. They seem to find a connection and a sense of peace about which SA is truly right for them. I think advice from all of the above can't be stated enough. As CC stated, 2 months really isn't going to be that far out that his decision would be changed that much. Go with your gut. Trust your instinct. What is his end goal after graduation? Best of luck.

 

[Pima]

Just so you know we all get it, we understand the angst. I think for parents it is even harder, they are still your baby. This is still a huge deal.

However, love the navy is correct his gut knows what he wants, sometimes you just have to have faith and believe in your gut.

 

[buff81]

I'll probably get raked over the coals for this but ....

Call me selfish - but I would not let go of those nominations until the appointments are in hand. Your son earned those noms. He should not feel guilty or rushed to make his decision.

Appreciate replies; Son has primary nom to one academy and secondary nom to two others. Congressman has said he "is" getting appointment from one of the secondaries.

Unless I'm missing something, this confuses me. Unless your son has a LOA, having a secondary nom (if you mean that he is not the one who was picked to fill the vacancy), is no guarantee of an appointment. I don't understand how the Congressman could say this UNLESS your son has a LOA. If he has a LOA, then yes, all he needs is a nom and if fully qualified, will receive the appointment.

Also, I'm not sure why the Congressman is pressing you to decide soon, unless he has yet to turn his/her slate in and wants your decision before they submit the slate. But if your son decides to turn down USXA, say, in March, then the nom will go to the next qualified candidate on the slate anyway ( unless it is a Principal with numbered alternates which in that case, the nom will go to the #2 listed on the slate - if fully qualified).

IMHO - when someone says that they can't decide between Academies, then what I'm hearing is that they would be happy with the career options any of those services offer. He is deciding b/t Army and Navy. It sounds like he can see himself serving post-SA in either service. Land, sea - it doesn't matter.
IF that is the case, then what matters is where he spends the next 4 years of his life - West Point or USNA. In that case, the following advise is spot-on:

Has your candidate visited the SA that he is nomintated for? I think that there is a kind of "fit" that many candiates find when researching, visiting, and talking to others who have been or are currently in a SA. They seem to find a connection and a sense of peace about which SA is truly right for them.

If y'all have not already visited USNA or West Point and if you possibly can, visit both. They are different. The locale is different (Annapolis and Highland Falls are VERY different!). I don't know about USNA, but if you have a LOA or Appointment, you are invited to an overnight visit. This is a must especially to those candidates who aren't quite sure. He really should visit both academies before he makes this decision - if at all possible.

If this was my son - he would pick West Point. JK- (my son did BTW), but if this was my son, I would advise him to not let loose of those noms until he had all appointments in hand and to visit both Academies.

This is a tough decision. If he is struggling with which academy to go to, he needs to take his time, not feel rushed and be armed with all possible info about each Academy before he makes his decision.

Good luck to him!

 

[militaryfamily]

Thanks for the reply Buff and even knowing you could get raked over the coals......LOL...that's what is all about, opinions and advice to each other and I appreciate everyones input; yes, it is really a tough decision when one loves both for completely different reasons. Son has in fact been to both summer seminars and absolutely fell in love with both academies for a variety of reasons. I do agree completely that until the appointments are in hand...hang on to the nominations, seems more prudent in the event of the unforeseen. Thanks again.

 

[Christcorp]

If your son does in "FACT" have/will have a "Principal Nomination", then there are no "Events of the unforeseen". By law, if he has a "Principal" nomination, and his application is 100% complete, and he has passed the DODMRB and is otherwise qualified, then he is guaranteed the appointment. Anything that could/would jeopardize that for one academy, will also jeopardize it for the other academy.

Of course I would hold off until I was "Guaranteed" a "Principal" nomination. If you didn't have a principal nomination, then all bets are off. You want as many nominations as possible. But if you have a "Principal", then you have no need for any others. There's no unforeseen situation that could make you lose the appointment; that wouldn't affect the other appointment. Unless of course your son simply doesn't know which academy he wants to attend. best of luck to you. Mike....

 

[buff81]

Since he has been to both summer seminars, let me urge you to have him do a day visit at both Academies. Again, I don't know how or if USNA has overnight visits, but if he gets an appointment to West Point, DO the overnight visit, if he is still torn.

Summer seminars and real life at the Academies are different. It would be advantageous for him to spend time with a cadet, go to classes with them, stay in the barracks, go to their sport, eat with them, etc. He will also be able to ask questions of his cadet and their friends. Usually at West Point, the cadet they shadow is a Plebe - someone who was in your son's shoes a year ago. Most are just a year out of high school. They are in the toughest year adjustment-wise. What a perfect opportunity to see what USNA and USMA are really like. The summer seminars are somewhat of a recruitment tool. They get a snippet of this and that to let the kids get a taste of the Academy - to see if they would be interested in that Academy - but it is not what day in and day out life is like once you are a cadet.

I hope that this all does not sound negative.
My Yearling cadet called this past weekend and I was asking the usual, how are you doing, how are classes etc. You know what he said?
"It's fun!"
I about fell out of my chair and asked again to make sure he heard me correctly.
He did - "Yes- I'm having fun!"
Now he didn't feel that way a year ago, but West Point was where he knew he wanted to be and he was sure of his decision to be there which helped him over the bumps in the road.
That is why your son needs to be as sure as he possibly can be before he makes a decision if offered Appointments to both USNA and USMA. Honestly, he can't go wrong with either as far as getting a great education and great military training. But he needs to be happy where he is.

Best wishes in guiding him through to this decision.

 

[ski_addict29]

Since he has been to both summer seminars, let me urge you to have him do a day visit at both Academies. Again, I don't know how or if USNA has overnight visits, but if he gets an appointment to West Point, DO the overnight visit, if he is still torn.

Summer seminars and real life at the Academies are different. It would be advantageous for him to spend time with a cadet, go to classes with them, stay in the barracks, go to their sport, eat with them, etc. He will also be able to ask questions of his cadet and their friends. Usually at West Point, the cadet they shadow is a Plebe - someone who was in your son's shoes a year ago. Most are just a year out of high school. They are in the toughest year adjustment-wise. What a perfect opportunity to see what USNA and USMA are really like. The summer seminars are somewhat of a recruitment tool. They get a snippet of this and that to let the kids get a taste of the Academy - to see if they would be interested in that Academy - but it is not what day in and day out life is like once you are a cadet.

I hope that this all does not sound negative.
My Yearling cadet called this past weekend and I was asking the usual, how are you doing, how are classes etc. You know what he said?
"It's fun!"
I about fell out of my chair and asked again to make sure he heard me correctly.
He did - "Yes- I'm having fun!"
Now he didn't feel that way a year ago, but West Point was where he knew he wanted to be and he was sure of his decision to be there which helped him over the bumps in the road.
That is why your son needs to be as sure as he possibly can be before he makes a decision if offered Appointments to both USNA and USMA. Honestly, he can't go wrong with either as far as getting a great education and great military training. But he needs to be happy where he is.

Best wishes in guiding him through to this decision.

I definately agree with buff about getting an overnight if possible. I am a junior right now and stayed with a plebe at USNA in September from Thursday-Sunday. Best experience of my life. I definately recommend it so he knows what its like. Nothing better than seeing what its actually like. The upperclassemen are definately strict yet it reinforced how much i want to go to the academy. sorry to get off track lol but i definately recommend an overnight, its a great experience.